Church comes from Salem, Ore., where he was executive editor of the Statesman Journal.

The Herald-Tribune's new executive editor replaces Mike Connelly, who left the news organization in the fall for the Buffalo News in New York.

Church, 54, arrived in Sarasota after a 3,700-mile road trip from the Pacific Northwest.

“I think the only way you can move from one place to another is you take the road trip,” he said.

The trip itself provided immediate evidence of his affinity for social media, and a strong hint of the direction he sees for the Herald-Tribune. Church used Twitter to chronicle his journey, stay in touch with friends, and make new ones on his way to the Sunshine State.

“My friends and followers knew where I was the entire time,” Church said.

There was this bonsai plant that he thought might not survive the trip in a moving van. Named “Bridgette,” the plant accompanied him on his journey, and got her photograph taken along the way.

“ ‘Bridgette thinks we're a nation of proud liars. She doesn't understand all the exit billboards that read, ‘Home of the Whopper,' ” one entry reads.

That brings Church to stating his own more serious goal as the Herald-Tribune's executive editor: “We are going to be community-focused. We will be digitally urgent. We will be engaged in the community. But the foundation of all that we do is tell stories, and watch after people's interests.”

Church has more than 20 years' experience with media giant Gannett Co. Inc., in strategic and leadership roles.

Asked to name his hometown, Church asked back, how do you define that?

A self-described military brat, he was born in Japan, and then, in a later stay, went to school there from fifth through ninth grades.

Church finished high school in Oklahoma and went on to study economics at the University of Oklahoma, followed by a master's degree in administration from Central Michigan University.

But he says he is a journalist to the core.

Right out of high school, as he worked his way through college, he covered sports for the Del City News.

His musical tastes are eclectic, but he readily admits he owns every Bruce Springsteen CD.

Church also admits to having some misgivings about leaving Salem.

“I loved the journalism team there, and the community,” he said. “The Herald-Tribune is just one of those rare opportunities.”

While he has not been here long, he has already been impressed with some of his interactions with readers.

On Wednesday, he had breakfast at The Broken Egg in Lakewood Ranch, where basketball sportscaster Dick Vitale is a frequent guest.

“What a Sarasota start,” Church tweeted. “I just chatted with Dick Vitale! He talked about his efforts to raise money for The V Foundation, and wished me luck.”

Church is a relaxed guy. “People are going to find I'm pretty easygoing, but focused,” Church said.

Which brings him back to social media, and the way it takes journalism to a new level: “With the digital world, you have that ability and opportunity to interact with readers on an immediate basis.”

<p><em>SARASOTA</em> - Bill Church on Thursday took over the corner office with the two glass walls that looks out over the Herald-Tribune newsroom.</p><p>Church comes from Salem, Ore., where he was executive editor of the Statesman Journal.</p><p>The Herald-Tribune's new executive editor replaces Mike Connelly, who left the news organization in the fall for the Buffalo News in New York.</p><p>Church, 54, arrived in Sarasota after a 3,700-mile road trip from the Pacific Northwest.</p><p>“I think the only way you can move from one place to another is you take the road trip,” he said.</p><p>The trip itself provided immediate evidence of his affinity for social media, and a strong hint of the direction he sees for the Herald-Tribune. Church used Twitter to chronicle his journey, stay in touch with friends, and make new ones on his way to the Sunshine State.</p><p>“My friends and followers knew where I was the entire time,” Church said.</p><p>He showed a wry sense of humor in those tweets, which you can read at <a href="https://twitter.com/billchurchmedia">@BillChurchMedia. </a></p><p>There was this bonsai plant that he thought might not survive the trip in a moving van. Named “Bridgette,” the plant accompanied him on his journey, and got her photograph taken along the way.</p><p>“ 'Bridgette thinks we're a nation of proud liars. She doesn't understand all the exit billboards that read, 'Home of the Whopper,' ” one entry reads.</p><p>That brings Church to stating his own more serious goal as the Herald-Tribune's executive editor: “We are going to be community-focused. We will be digitally urgent. We will be engaged in the community. But the foundation of all that we do is tell stories, and watch after people's interests.”</p><p>Church has more than 20 years' experience with media giant Gannett Co. Inc., in strategic and leadership roles.</p><p>Asked to name his hometown, Church asked back, how do you define that?</p><p>A self-described military brat, he was born in Japan, and then, in a later stay, went to school there from fifth through ninth grades.</p><p>Church finished high school in Oklahoma and went on to study economics at the University of Oklahoma, followed by a master's degree in administration from Central Michigan University.</p><p>But he says he is a journalist to the core.</p><p>Right out of high school, as he worked his way through college, he covered sports for the Del City News.</p><p>His musical tastes are eclectic, but he readily admits he owns every Bruce Springsteen CD.</p><p>Church also admits to having some misgivings about leaving Salem.</p><p>“I loved the journalism team there, and the community,” he said. “The Herald-Tribune is just one of those rare opportunities.”</p><p>While he has not been here long, he has already been impressed with some of his interactions with readers.</p><p>On Wednesday, he had breakfast at The Broken Egg in Lakewood Ranch, where basketball sportscaster Dick Vitale is a frequent guest. </p><p>“What a Sarasota start,” Church tweeted. “I just chatted with Dick Vitale! He talked about his efforts to raise money for The V Foundation, and wished me luck.”</p><p>Church is a relaxed guy. “People are going to find I'm pretty easygoing, but focused,” Church said.</p><p>Which brings him back to social media, and the way it takes journalism to a new level: “With the digital world, you have that ability and opportunity to interact with readers on an immediate basis.”</p>